This year, the members of the Wangen 1926 Sailing Club (MVW) are looking back on their 100-year history. The German Sailing Association (DSV) is marking the anniversary with a profile on its website. You can also read it below here on YACHT online, courtesy of the DSV:
sporty, sociable, idyllic
The Marine Verein Wangen 1926 has been in existence for a century – originally founded as a social club, the MVW is now a community of enthusiastic sailors on and around the Ellerazhofer Weiher. The German Sailing Association congratulates the club on this special anniversary and wishes it all the best for the future.
How it all began…
Camaraderie and a love of the water
The club’s history began 100 years ago as a simple social club. Those returning home from the First World War felt the need to come together in their home town to foster camaraderie, their shared love of the water and their memories of their time on the high seas. With this aim in mind, former members of the navy came together in Wangen in 1926; from then on, the gentlemen met in various pubs around the town to catch up. The driving forces behind the ‘Marineverein Wangen’ were Gustav Bulmer, who ran a photography shop in Wangen at the time, and Alois Sohler from the Lichtspielhaus Sohler – incidentally, the cinema still exists today in this Allgäu town.
“Unfortunately, there are no detailed records from the years that followed,” says Nico Riese, now a member of the executive committee of the Marine Verein Wangen. One thing is certain: like many other clubs, the naval officers’ association was disbanded under the National Socialist regime.
…and what happened next
A new direction, a pond to lease and homemade boats
In 1957, the “Marine Verein Wangen 1926 e.V.” was re-established. And shortly afterwards, it underwent a reorientation. “We sailors need to be by the water,” said Alois Sohler, providing the defining impetus: the joy of sailing, enjoying life by and on the water together. That was to be the focus from then on; all that was missing was a suitable body of water. The search quickly led to the Ellerazhofer Weiher – a 46-hectare, horseshoe-shaped fish pond between Kißlegg and Leutkirch, whose water is drained in winter for fishing.
The club members agreed on a lease with the owner, and work began on the planning, construction and, over the years, a series of extensions, refurbishments and repairs. They built the first sailing dinghies themselves – three ‘Piraten’ with homemade sails – as well as a jetty, the boathouse, the first toilet block and a shed.
The busy construction work led to financial debts. However, thanks to sound financial management and a prudent executive committee led by Alois Sohler, these internal difficulties were resolved. The club members were able to turn their attention outward with peace of mind and began taking part in their first regattas. In 1978, for example, the club organised even larger races on the small pond, including the fourth round of the Württemberg Opti Championship, which attracted around 80 participants.
To mark the 50th anniversary, the old, original wooden hut was replaced by a stone building, which still serves as the clubhouse today.
The Wangen 1926 Nautical Club today
Sailing for fun and an independent youth section
“Our focus is very clearly on grassroots and recreational sport,” says Nico Riese. Sailing, sailing and more sailing – all with a focus on having fun – that’s what it’s all about at Ellerazhofer Weiher. But that doesn’t rule out competitive sailing: the Spring Regatta, the Kässpätzli Regatta, the Youth Regatta or the Alois Sohler Memorial Regatta – there’s something for everyone.
Since the early 1990s, the youth group – which now comprises around 50 teenagers and young adults – has been independent. It is represented on the association’s executive committee by its own leadership and organises itself entirely independently as a youth council with its own funds. By young people, for young people. This commitment has already earned the group a number of awards and prizes.
It’s all about sailing – during the summer courses, there can be as many as 40 children and teenagers taking part – but it’s also about spending time together in the great outdoors. Swimming, rowing, having barbecues, running about on the grounds, playing volleyball or spending the weekend together by the pond – it’s all part of the experience.
For beginners to sailing, there are 14 Optimists available, including ‘Nemo’, ‘Pünktchen’ and ‘Anton’; more experienced sailors can sponsor a boat and thus gain exclusive use of it.
A declaration of love
A weekend by the pond is just like a holiday
“I think all members would agree with that statement,” says Nico Riese. Sailing, camping, chatting together and simply enjoying each other’s company – that’s what the Marine Verein Wangen 1926 is all about. It’s no coincidence that club life at Ellerazhofer Weiher is summed up by the motto: SPORTING | FRIENDLY | IDYLLIC.
Anyone sitting on the clubhouse terrace enjoying a slice of cake and a coffee, or a grilled sausage and a beer, whilst looking out over the water towards the church tower in Willerazhofen, with the green hills of the Allgäu in the background – they’ll definitely come back, adds the board member. “New members are always welcome.”
This is the Wangen 1926 Nautical Club
The club is situated on the 46-hectare Ellerazhofer Weiher. With its horseshoe shape and the varying wind patterns created by the surrounding hills, the sailing area is also exciting for advanced sailors. The club has around 180 members; its own fleet comprises 14 Optimists and four RS-Quests. The clubhouse has 24 beds; facilities include a jetty, a multi-purpose hall, a beach volleyball court and 15 permanent caravan pitches. The club is located at Campingweg 9, 88299 Leutkirch im Allgäu; Tel. 07563-3816; Email: kontakt@mvw1926.de; Website www.mvw1926.de